What a German Lebenslauf expects that many English résumés omit
Photo conventions, dated signatures, and education chronology still matter to many German employers. Skipping them can stall otherwise strong candidates.
A Lebenslauf is usually chronological, complete, and frank about gaps. Recruiters expect month-and-year ranges, not vague year-only spans. If you took parental leave during a previous relocation, name it plainly rather than stretching neighbouring jobs to cover the blank.
Photos remain common outside a few international tech and creative firms. When you include one, choose a plain background and clothing that matches the workplace you are targeting—clinic, workshop, or office—not a social snapshot.
Anschreiben letters should answer why this employer and this city, not recite your entire career. Families relocating to Germany often bury the lead: state your intended start date and whether you already hold the right to work, then connect two or three achievements to the vacancy.
Our German Application Package Review rewrites materials with these conventions in mind and flags which Zeugnisse or diploma translations you still need before HR will schedule a call.